Striving to provide called workers

One of the four priorities outlined in the synod’s “Christ through us” long-range strategic plan is “Calling.”

Photo Mark Schroeder wearing green vest with cross — WELS President Mark Schroeder

For our synod to carry out its mission faithfully, we need an adequate number of well-trained pastors, teachers, and staff ministers to teach and proclaim God’s Word in our congregations, schools, and mission fields. That need has become more acute in recent years as we are experiencing a significant shortfall in the number of workers available to serve.

The “Calling” priority has five main components. With God’s help, we will:

Expand pathways to ministry. We will examine how we can provide new ways to recruit potential pastors and teachers. Some things are already being done. At Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., we are recruiting WELS members who are teaching in public schools. MLC provides the instruction needed to become ministry certified in WELS. Other WELS members have degrees in other fields. MLC will provide them the educational skills needed to teach, along with the instruction needed to become ministry certified.
Innovate recruitment programs. We will look at ways to improve and expand our efforts to recruit traditional students for entry into MLC. Those efforts likely will expand the current practice of school recruiters meeting with high school students by specifically working with current called workers and congregations to expand recruitment efforts.
Ensure ministerial education stability. We will look for ways to ensure that our synodical schools remain on a firm financial foundation and to enlist our members in working toward that goal.
Establish a sustainable strategy for called worker development. We will look at how best to deploy the workers that we have, exercising stewardship in how and where we use them.
Support called worker well-being. Having spiritually and physically healthy called workers ensures that they will be able to cope with the challenges and pressures of ministry, thus reducing the number of called worker resignations. We will find ways to help congregations provide the best support and encouragement possible.

In addition to new and enhanced synodical recruitment programs, some of the most effective recruiting for ministry is done by people like you. Pastors, teachers, and staff ministers, ask yourself, “What am I doing to encourage young people to consider serving as a pastor, teacher, or staff minister?” Find grade school or high school students who have the gifts for ministry and talk to them about the need for called workers and the joys that you have experienced in serving. Parents and grandparents, ask your children and grandchildren what they plan to do with the rest of their lives and then encourage them to consider prayerfully whether they might serve in the public ministry. Remind them what it means to you personally to have well-trained and faithful called workers serving you and your family with the Word. Congregation members, ask a young person if he or she has considered attending Martin Luther College. Encourage fellow members to establish scholarships in your congregation to help with the costs of those preparing for the ministry.

Of course, we can make our plans. But in the end, it is only with God’s blessing that these plans will bear fruit. So pray and experience the joy of seeing how, when God calls them, more young people will say, “Here am I! Send me!”

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